Simplyhere

New member here. Former Clydesdale (down from 243 to 197) and beginning to ride for the first time in years and years. Running hurts the knees too much. Anyway, picked this bike up from the LBS (Yep, I've been reading) and they're working to get it into good riding shape.

Was hoping some of you could give me some information about it. I know it's made in England, and they make a great touring bike supposedly. But that's about it. Thanks, and I hope to be a good member here.

Bill

Scooper

You might want to check out the Mercian section of CR:

https://www.classicrendezvous.com/Bri...rcian_main.htm

and the "History" section on the Mercian website:

https://www.merciancycles.co.uk/history

Chicago Al 

No idea on exactly what model or year (though apparently 80s) or value, but that is a very sharp bike. However the pics reveal it has a rusty chain, which I suggest you use to negotiate a 50% discount from the shop.

Simplyhere

Thank you for the links on the history. From that I was able to determine that it is a 1987 bike, although it's still somewhat complicated to reveal the bike model from the lugs. Could be a King of Mercia, since it has a heart-like shape in the lugs. As for the condition, yes, the chain is toast, as are the tubes/tires I think. All the campanolo components should clean up very well. The seat post polished to a very nice shine. The seat has really come back with some leather conditioner, but I don't know how best to finish it off once it dries thoroughly.

Personally I can't wait to ride it. The bike shop is replacing the tubes, a couple cables, truing the rims, etc.

Bill

plodderslusk

No info to offer, I just love it !

zukahn1 

Nice looking bike seems like you got a good deal. I find it a little odd a bike shop would put it on the floor without replacing the chain and cleaning it up a little.

Chicago Al 

Probably should have added a after my remark about the rusty chain cutting the 'value' by 50%.

Heck, I would have tried it.

jet sanchEz

Congrats on the weight loss, congrats on finding such a nice bike! I think it would sell pretty easily for $800 since it is in such great shape.

White bar tape would make this bike really shine.

Simplyhere

The story was that a guy brought it into the local bike shop, asking the owner to sell it for him for $150 dollars. Owner isn't familiar with the brand at all, and says ok, but that it isn't in riding condition as it is, and that his customers will want it to be. Guy says no, sell it "as is" if you can. I saw it, thought about it a few days and called back. Owner says the guy is coming back to get it (store had it less than a week), and so I told him I'd take it. To be honest, I had no idea about the value of the bike. In fact, just by looking at it I thought it was older than a 1987. My goal was to buy it cheap, get the LBS to put it into riding shape, and take off. Still is. They say it'll be ready to ride by this Saturday. I took the seat off and have been cleaning it up a bit. Like I mentioned, the seat post looks great and required very little elbow grease. The seat really came back to life. I could use it, but it is hard as a brick.

Thanks greatly for the idea of white bar tape. Never crossed my mind. Do you really think this thing would sell for $800 bucks? If that's so, this is easily a classic case of dumb, beginner's luck. The shop guy says I'll be out for about $70 bucks total. I'm elated.

Bill

Bianchigirll 

You paid $150 for that? nice deal esp with what looks to be a complete Athena group but the brakes look pretty dull.

after alot of cleaning and some waxing it could be worth $800 but you would have to have a buyer who wants that exact model of Mercian in thiose colors. I think you'll get more pleasure from riding though.

Simplyhere

Bianchi Girl: Would you be willing to give me a quick rundown on what the "Athena Group" means? I'm guessing that is a group of components that go together?

Bill

lostarchitect 

$150?! You stole that thing! Yes, "Athena" is the group of Campagnolo components that match.

kc0yef 

Looks like a Superlight can you read the serial number on the Bottom Bracket we can tell what year
Value without knowing for sure at least $800 with that Camapagnolo Group....

Simplyhere

Thank you. The serial number is 1487. And 150 bucks, that is correct. I know I'll have a little more money into it eventually for tubes, tires if needed, chain, etc. But I'm really excited about it now. Looked a lot like the Sears 10-speed I rode as a kid, which is why I wanted it to begin with. The campanolo stuff meant nothing to me either. I've heard of Shimano of course, but knew nothing of the Athena group, or the significance of that.

The local bike shop is all but out of business. The economy has taken its toll on the guy, and he only does maintenance now. Doesn't sell any new bikes, just a few parts, pedals, tires, etc.

kc0yef 

King of Mercia 1987
$1200 frame only

FastJake

Maybe Mercian makes touring bikes, but this is certainly not one. Reynolds 531c = racing bike, and a very very nice one at that. Great score at $150 even considering the need for a tuneup, etc.

zukahn1 

I can't believe the bike shop didn't buy the bike off the guy who brought it in when he said he only wanted $150. Even if they weren't knowledgable about the brand just about any LBS should have spotted this bike as being worth several hundred more than the guy was asking.

Simplyhere

Agreed. The bike shop guy wanted to fix it up, and sell it for somewhere in the neighborhood of $250. It's an older bike store that used to sell comic books, baseball cards, etc. but the economy has all but rendered it a junk shop. Nice fellow who runs it, and I would guess he's proficient at doing bike work...seems like it to me for all I know. I'm glad as heck he didn't though, because I love the thing.

So you think this could be a racing bike frame because of the 531c tubing?

jet sanchEz

It is a racing frame, 531c is top notch tubing specifically designed for racing frames. The "c" stands for "Competition".

FastJake

Yes, definitely a race frame.

Sounds like maybe the shop is not as knowledgeable as it needs to be to stay in business. I've seen it before. Shops that don't know what they're talking about get ignored by the serious cyclists, the ones that are regulars and spend the money. At least that's how I choose where to go. Some shops never have what I need, but hey they can order it for me. If I wanted to order it I'd buy it on ebay for less money and have it shipped to my door... I'm done ranting now, sorry.

Bianchigirll 

Most of the parts on the bike brake calipers and levers, cranks and pedals, derailleurs and shifters, hubs and seatpost are parts from Campagnolo's Athena component group from about 1990. It is very good quality stuff but these seem hto have suffered a bit of neglect.

Coreyk

It is rare to see a Mercian in the warmer colors like that... You bought a very nice bike, indeed. That might be the bike score of a lifetime, really.

CK

Idkutet

way to go... good price + good bike = great ride